Support for those quitting smoking

Jurga78 · 22-02-2014 11:38pm

Shadow Walker wrote: »

The herbal cigarettes I used were "Honeyrose" and they did not contain tobacco therefore did not contain nicotine nor the dozens of other toxic additives in cigarettes.

In some herbal cigarettes , the main ingredient is wild lettuce. Some contain damiana, mint, passion flower, jasmine, yerba santa, or ginseng, just to name a few of the herbs.

Hi all, where can you get them ?
They're probably the only thing I haven't tried yet. My motivation is huge yet doesn't work... It's just the FEAR ! I'm so afraid of giving up. Every morning I tell myself that I wont have a fag for as long as I can and am smoking and hating myself in an hour... bah...

Thank's to everyone posting their experience

Nyum Nyum · 05-03-2014 11:29pm

Nyum Nyum wrote: »

Never posted here but been a long time lurker.

Just wanted to say I've completed 7 days without a cig now (I'm using patches).

I know it's barely anything compared to those who have done months and years not smoking but the best I ever did previously was a mere 6 days. Yes, I'm hugely embarrassed about that I admit but there you go. The last few quits barely got into the 24 hour mark

There's been a few times where I felt like wandering off to the shop for ciggies - as I normally do after a day or so - but nope, I haven't weakened this time and I don't intend to.

I hope to post here again next week saying I've passed a fortnight

6 years later and I still haven't smoked

masti123 · 13-05-2014 7:58pm

first time i tried to give up i had cold like symptoms and now i'm trying again, currently day 3 and I'm experiencing cold like symptoms again ,is this normal? and when will it go away? any help would be great

ZENER · 13-05-2014 8:53pm

I presume you mean coughing and stuffiness ? The coughing may get worse for a week or so as all the crap in your lungs loosens and looks for a way out, put up with it you'll feel better afterwards.

Bare with it, it'll be worth it.

Ken

ThePhilip · 30-07-2014 8:10am

Some very good advice and info in this thread, thanks guys

ChalyIE · 03-08-2014 9:10pm

For me e-cig was the only thing that really worked, so I have chosen Other

DokersRe · 12-11-2014 8:30am

Good idea. Thanks a lot.

antiskeptic · 10-01-2015 6:14pm

Interesting that the single best way of quitting (he rejected the use of the term 'give up') is Allen Carr

I say best because unlike cold turkey, it doesn't, unless you're not fully getting his message, require will power either to quit or stay quit.

I just wonder why the score isn't even higher?

3 cheers for Allen Carr (from one who he released from the prison of smoking)

Slicemeister · 26-02-2015 11:56pm

Having previously given up on the easyway and free for 12 years, I couldn't derive anything from his books when I tried after being back smoking for 3 years.

Quickly fell back into old habits following bad news.

Stopped smoking a couple of months ago having used hypnosis, which to me felt like a subconscious reinforcement of Allen Carr's method and thought processes.

Would definitely recommend it if anyone's struggling with the easyway.

Nyum Nyum · 05-03-2015 4:10pm

Nyum Nyum wrote: »

6 years later and I still haven't smoked

7 years now

Best thing ever if you quit, good luck to everyone

PaddyWilliams · 07-12-2015 6:18pm

Last day today, on Champix. Not getting anything from the smokes now so tomorrow will be smoke free!

Nyum Nyum · 05-03-2016 6:23pm

Nyum Nyum wrote: »

7 years now

Best thing ever if you quit, good luck to everyone

8 years now

Brasros · 24-07-2016 12:28pm

Off cigarettes now for 3 years after 28 years smoking and many failed attempts. Then through cold turkey and place the money I spend into something I wanted.

thebouldwhacker · 24-07-2016 5:00pm

Similar story here, I'm 5yrs off after 24 yrs of 20+ a day , Carr approach was probably the most helpful for me, best thing I ever did for myself. ðŸ˜Š

Reindeer · 13-09-2016 11:11pm

Smoked Lucky Strike unfilters for ~20 years. Tried everything and failed. A friend gave me an iStick 30 watt device with a Nautilus mini tank. Started at 12mg, within a week I stopped smoking regularly. Within a few months I was off cigarettes entirely. Now, nearly 20 months later, I still vape, but almost always at 0 Nicotine, and can't stand the smell of cigarettes. I feel better than I have in a long while. Food has flavour now, I sleep better, and have far less aches and pains. No more coughing, no more shortness of breath, no more 8-9 euro packs of cigs. I have my life back.

InTheTrees · 13-09-2016 11:25pm

Over five years now.

I couldnt have done it without nicotine lozenges. They're a bit more fast acting than the gum and i admit (but its not recommended) that i was double dosing those first few weeks.

I also think there's an old phrase "you can quit till you're ready" which is really true. The Last Time (after many attempts!) I quit i was just so fed up with it all. Fed up with cravings, falling off the wagon, lying to myself, feeling crappy at caving in, setting another date, going through that first week again, etc etc...

Another small thing that helped was stopping on the dot of midnight on December 31st. It was nice, it meant I always knew exactly how long it was since i quit, no calculations needed. And it also meant a bit more pressure not to cave in because I'd lose that.

Anyway. Best of luck to all who are trying. It is poss.

Deckyalrite · 14-12-2016 12:40pm

Hi All,

Been smoking last 10 years. Gave up earlier this year for four months through taking the Champix for four months. But was going through a very stressful time so ended up back on them, just wondering is there a cheap place to buy the champix online? I would have no problem getting a script. Last time it cost me €144 and that was only for one month. All help very welcome. Really want to be off them by the new year.

SuperS54 · 14-12-2016 1:08pm

Deckyalrite wrote: »

Last time it cost me €144 and that was only for one month.

LOL, how much do cigs cost you per month?! Now add in the health issues and what they are going to cost you in the future, a 1000 a month would be cheap if it gets you off them.

Saying that, you don't need any of that stuff. Get yourself Alan Carrs book, sit down, read it and then decide at what point to quit poisoning yourself. It's a lot easier than you think, don't listen to others and don't build it up as some monumental occasion. Just stop and don't look back, the future you will really thank you for it.

Nyum Nyum · 05-03-2017 2:46pm

Nyum Nyum wrote: »

Never posted here but been a long time lurker.

Just wanted to say I've completed 7 days without a cig now (I'm using patches).

I know it's barely anything compared to those who have done months and years not smoking but the best I ever did previously was a mere 6 days. Yes, I'm hugely embarrassed about that I admit but there you go. The last few quits barely got into the 24 hour mark

There's been a few times where I felt like wandering off to the shop for ciggies - as I normally do after a day or so - but nope, I haven't weakened this time and I don't intend to.

I hope to post here again next week saying I've passed a fortnight

9 years today

Keep going everyone - completely worth it

Nyum Nyum · 05-03-2018 8:14pm

Nyum Nyum wrote: »

Never posted here but been a long time lurker.

Just wanted to say I've completed 7 days without a cig now (I'm using patches).

I know it's barely anything compared to those who have done months and years not smoking but the best I ever did previously was a mere 6 days. Yes, I'm hugely embarrassed about that I admit but there you go. The last few quits barely got into the 24 hour mark

There's been a few times where I felt like wandering off to the shop for ciggies - as I normally do after a day or so - but nope, I haven't weakened this time and I don't intend to.

I hope to post here again next week saying I've passed a fortnight

TEN YEARS QUIT TODAY!!

:):):):):):):)

Best thing I ever did! Good luck to all those quitting too

SuperS54 · 06-03-2018 5:38am

Nyum Nyum wrote: »

TEN YEARS QUIT TODAY!!
:):):):):):):)

Best thing I ever did! Good luck to all those quitting too

Congrats!! Great to be off them

Emmadilema · 12-02-2019 10:16pm

I quit smoking a week ago on Sunday and for the first time ever, it’s going really well. I’m not too fussed at all about smoking and went cold turkey so nicotine free at this stage. The problem I’m having is, everyday, usually around late afternoon my throat starts to feel like it’s closing up and stays like that for the rest of the day. The first few days after quitting, this was happening but much more severe with twitching and dizziness. Now it’s just the tightness in my throat. It’s not painful and not causing me any difficulty breathing but it is extremely irritating at this stage. I’ve entertained the idea that it might be stress/anxiety but it’s like a clock everyday even when I’m relaxed. Anyone any ideas what could be causing this?

SuperS54 · 13-02-2019 3:05am

Emmadilema wrote: »

I quit smoking a week ago on Sunday and for the first time ever, it’s going really well. I’m not too fussed at all about smoking and went cold turkey so nicotine free at this stage. The problem I’m having is, everyday, usually around late afternoon my throat starts to feel like it’s closing up and stays like that for the rest of the day. The first few days after quitting, this was happening but much more severe with twitching and dizziness. Now it’s just the tightness in my throat. It’s not painful and not causing me any difficulty breathing but it is extremely irritating at this stage. I’ve entertained the idea that it might be stress/anxiety but it’s like a clock everyday even when I’m relaxed. Anyone any ideas what could be causing this?

Should probably get it checked by a doctor if it's really bothering you however I would go with the anxiety diagnosis. I had similar issues when I quit many years ago, always around 3pm for me. In hindsight I think the issue existed before I quit but I was putting down the occasional dizzy spell, tightness etc as being a result of smoking. You get much more in tune with yourself when you're not on the nicotine clock!

Emmadilema · 13-02-2019 10:23pm

SuperS54 wrote: »

Should probably get it checked by a doctor if it's really bothering you however I would go with the anxiety diagnosis. I had similar issues when I quit many years ago, always around 3pm for me. In hindsight I think the issue existed before I quit but I was putting down the occasional dizzy spell, tightness etc as being a result of smoking. You get much more in tune with yourself when you're not on the nicotine clock!

Yeah I’m leaning that way myself. How long did it last for you? If it keeps up much longer I probably will see the doctor. It’s driving me bananas although not enough to make me want to smoke thank god.

SuperS54 · 14-02-2019 6:33am

Emmadilema wrote: »

Yeah I’m leaning that way myself. How long did it last for you? If it keeps up much longer I probably will see the doctor. It’s driving me bananas although not enough to make me want to smoke thank god.

It lasted until I went to the doc and got some medication to help! It may be completely disconnected from stopping smoking in the first place, take a step back and look at what else may be causing stress in your life. I assume there was some trigger that caused you to quit in the first place, although quitting in itself is a stressful change. Give it a few weeks and see your GP if it doesn't go away. If you find it doesn't happen if you are busy with some (enjoyable) task then it's likely stress related and not a physical problem.

Nyum Nyum · 05-03-2019 3:40pm

Nyum Nyum wrote: »

TEN YEARS QUIT TODAY!!
:):):):):):):)

Best thing I ever did! Good luck to all those quitting too

11 years now

Keep going if you've quit

SuperS54 · 20-08-2019 7:08am

SuperS54 wrote: »

Day 15, cold turkey, internet sites then followed by Allen Carr, actually far easier than I imagined it would be or it has ever been before. I think once you educate yourself and the veil is lifted it becomes much easier. Have to say I'm feeling better than I ever remember feeling in a long time, masses of energy, the return of dreams has been pleasant too!
If you're thinking of quitting, there are a lot of resources and free pdf's on the web which you can be read at work!

7 Years down! So, so glad I made that decision all those years ago!

Nyum Nyum · 05-03-2020 2:58pm

Nyum Nyum wrote: »

11 years now

Keep going if you've quit

12 years today

Keep going!

Ishmael · 26-06-2020 10:52am

I don't know exactly how long i have quit and tbh i don't care as it is something that for me is in the past and i don't care to give it any importance by remembering specifics about it. It's roughly 8 Months now after a near 20 year habit and my only regret is that i didn't do it sooner.

The Alan Carr book really helped me. I was getting the odd pang for the first few months with different triggers but they passed fairly quickly and the book really helped me to build the mental fortitude to deal with them. I don't get them as much now or at least i don't notice them anymore.

Thankfully, i am an ex-smoker and will be for the rest of my life.

SuperS54 · 15-08-2020 3:18am

8 years in! Forgotten all about the demon weed until Facebook reminded me of my 8 years today, absolutely do not miss them a bit.

For anyone still thinking about it, just do it, it's so much easier than you think once you put your mind to it. The only regrets you will have are having started smoking in the first place. Prepare to realise how awful smokers smell though!

Tpcl20 · 17-11-2020 1:33pm

Ah lads day two just started and ye're putting me to shame.

It's going a lot better than it usually does though. I'm very optimistic. I woke up this morning craving chicken. Then I remembered that I wanted to smoke and just thought about the chicken I now intend to cook later and imagined biting into the drumstick.

I'm channelling all my energy into diet and exercise. You should have seen the assortment of food I had yesterday to distract myself. It started with the toastie for lunch which had half an avocado, a tomato, lettuce, cucumber, black pudding, hard boiled egg and rasher with a few slices of cheese and butter and mayo. That tided me over until dinner and I got back to work. By six o'clock I was already hungry enough for a huge bowl of noodles with pork and stir fry veg. But that was early days. By midnight (when I had to put a stop to the eating) I'd had popcorn, sesame sticks, two spoons of ice cream, a banana sandwich, an apple, an orange and a handful of hazelnuts.

The shopping is coming soon and I've ordered +€100 of healthy treats so that I can pig out while I'm having these nicotine cravings for the next few days. But I think my attitude is great. Usually where I fail is that something tragic happens me. I can see where all those potential pitfalls are encroaching from and I just need to be prepared not to go back to it. I can do this.

derfderf · 18-11-2020 5:39am

Just over three years off them myself. I used the quick mist sprays. I'm just as hooked on them now, but i would never even think of smoking any more. Even when drunk or stressed.

For anyone that's thinking of trying the spray, it's a rough first day. You can feel it burning down your throat, and it causes instant hiccups, but that passes. It can be expensive, especially if you get in a habit of just spraying because it's there, but it completely kills the crazings. Also keep a bottle of water handy with it!